se
appeared to pass through a tree, but the saint opened the eyes of the
spectators, so that they saw him actually passing round it (CS, 353,
368; VSH, i, 156). This reads like the exposure of hypnotically
induced hallucinations.[24]

Diarmait mac Cerrbeil, or more properly mac Fergusa Cerrbeil, was
grandson of Conall Cremthainne, son of Niall Noi-giallach, the
ancestor of the royal line of Ui Neill. The reigning king, Tuathal
Moel-Garb, of whom we have already heard, was grandson of Coirpre,
another son of Niall. As a possible rival for the kingship, Tuathal
had driven him into banishment. Mael-Moire, or Mael-Morda, who
murdered Tuathal, was Diarmait's foster-brother. When Diarmait was
installed on the throne, he summoned the convention of Uisnech--one
of the places where from time immemorial religious Pan-Iernean
assemblies, resembling in character the Pan-Hellenic Olympic
gatherings, had been held. How Diarmait afterwards offended Ciaran,
was cursed by him, and met his death in consequence of that curse, may
be read in the tale printed in _Silua Gadelica_, No. vi, from which
we have just quoted the version of the story of setting up of the
corner-post.

There are chronological discrepancies, difficult if not impossible to
reconcile, between the annalist's dates for Diarmait and those for
Ciaran. The _Annals of Ulster_ places the death of Tuathal in 543, the
accession of Diarmait in 544, and the death of Ciaran in 548, seven
years after founding Clonmacnois. Some MSS. of these Annals, however,
omit the reference to the seven years, and place the accession of
Diarmait in 548, evidently to reconcile the stories. According to
the _Annals of the Four Masters_, Tuathal was slain in 538, Diarmait
succeeded in 539, and Ciaran died in 548. The _Annals of Clonmacnois_
is more consonant with the chronology of the Life of Ciaran. It tells
the tale so picturesquely that we transcribe it here, as before
modernising the spelling--

"535. Tuathal Moel-Garb began his reign, and reigned eleven years....
He caused Diarmait mac Cerrbeil to live in exile and in desert places,
because he claimed to have right to the crown....

"547. King Tuathal having proclaimed throughout the whole kingdom the
banishment of Diarmait mac Cerrbeil, as before is specified, with a
great reward to him that would bring him his heart, the said Diarmait
for fear of his life lived in the deserts of Clonmacnois, then called
Ard Tiprat: and meeting with the